Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine

Rock Navarkal, MD, JD

Pain is a complex sensation, and finding the right medications to manage your specific type of pain is a highly personalized process. Pain management specialist Rock Navarkal, MD, JD, at Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine in Denver, Colorado, is skilled in pain medication management therapy. If you haven’t been able to find relief from chronic pain, there’s still hope. Call or click online to book an appointment with Dr. Navarkal today.

Pain Medication & Management Q & A

What is pain medication management?

Dr. Navarkal uses pain medication management as part of a multidisciplinary approach to reducing or eliminating your pain. He may suggest taking medicines in combination with any number of specialized therapies, including physical therapy, massage, or acupuncture.

Medication management therapy may be a part of your personalized, comprehensive pain treatment plan. Since the origin of pain varies from patient to patient, finding the right combination of medicines and other therapies may take some time. You might need to try a few different medicines before you find the solution to your specific type of pain.

What medications treat chronic pain?

Depending on your condition, Dr. Navarkal may recommend any combination of the following medications to manage your pain:

Pills

A variety of pills may provide relief for your pain. Some, like acetaminophen, are available over the counter in low doses. Others, such as corticosteroids, always require a prescription.

Dr. Navarkal may prescribe antidepressants to treat your pain even if you aren’t depressed. These medicines work by reducing your brain’s perception of pain.

Oral medications that Dr. Navarkal may recommend include:

Acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Antidepressants

Corticosteroids

Anticonvulsants

Muscle relaxants

Opiate pain relievers

Topical Analgesics

These are medicines you apply to your skin to relieve pain, such as:

Creams

Gels

Sprays

Patches

Injections

Dr. Navarkal may suggest injecting medicines to treat pain directly at the site. He offers the following injections:

Epidural steroid injections

Trigger-point injections

Botox® injections for muscle spasms and headaches

Nerve-block injections

Joint-block injections

How do you use pain medication management?

Dr. Navarkal works with you to find the right combination of therapies to ease your pain and get you back on track to optimal health. You may need to try a few different pain medications along with other specialized therapies before your pain management plan is complete.

When you try a new medication, be sure to update Dr. Navarkal with any changes in your pain or other symptoms.

Dr. Navarkal always begins with the most conservative approach to treatment, but if your pain doesn’t improve with other methods, he may prescribe opiate painkillers as a last resort.

If you're suffering from chronic pain and need an expert to guide you through medication management therapy, call or click online to book an appointment with the experts at Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine today.